All right, children, you may be seated now.
-Mrs. Anna? -Yes, Your Highness?
l do not understand...
...how slaves can be set free if their masters wish to keep them.
lt's done by the passing of a law...
...and by the enforcing of that law, if necessary.
But my slaves...
...and the slaves of my father....
Suppose there was such a law in Siam and we did not want it so?
Sometimes things can't be just a question of what we want, Highness...
...but of what is right.
l think perhaps we had better call recess until after luncheon.
You may be excused.
Young prince has healthy respect...
...for ways of his own people.
Sometimes more than king.
Prince Chulalongkorn is a fine boy with a keen and probing mind.
But he still has much to learn, Your Excellency.
What is important for him to learn...
...l do not think he'll find in this classroom.
l'm fully aware that you do not approve of my coming to Siam.
Why are you so blind? Have you no eyes to see?
lKing tries impossible task...
...wishing to be scientific man who learn all modern things.
l think it a fine ambition.
lnside him is strong king like his father, who cannot change.
He will only tear himself in two, trying to be something he can never be.
Of course he can never be...
...if those closest to him are unwilling to help him.
You do not know king as well as you think you do.
You believe you have great influence over him.
You will end up as his slave like all the others.
l....
Yes, yes. Just a moment.
The king?
At this hour of the night?
Well, l trust His Majesty won't object if l put some clothes on first.
You sent for me, Your Majesty?
Your Majesty.
Oh, Your Majesty is reading the Bible.
Mrs. Anna...
...l think your Moses shall have been a fool.
Moses?
Moses, Moses, Moses. l think he shall have been a fool.
Here it stands written by him...
...that the world was created in six days.
Now you know and l know...
...that it took many ages to create world.
l think he shall have been a fool to have written so.
What is your opinion?
ls that why Your Majesty sent for me at this hour of the night?
That is not reason, but first l wish to discuss Moses.
Now, how am l ever to learn truth...
...if different English books state different things?
The Bible was not written by men of science, but by men of faith.
lt was their explanation of the miracle of creation...
...which is the same miracle whether it took six days or many centuries.
l still think your Moses shall have been a fool.
As you wish, Your Majesty.
Now, was there something else?
Take letter.
A letter? Now?
Now. When else? Now is always best time.
Take letter to Mr. Lincoln of America, who is very scientific ruler.
Very well, Your Majesty.
From Phra Mana Mongut...
...by the blessing of the highest super agency in the world...
...of the whole universe, the king of Siam.
Sovereign of all tributary countries adjacent and in every direction...
...et cetera, et cetera, et cetera....
Do you not have any respect for me?
Why do you stand over my head?
l cannot stand all the time.
And in this country no one's head shall be higher than king's.
From now on in presence, you shall so conduct like all other subjects.
You mean, on the floor?
All subjects do so.
l'm very sorry.
l shall try my best not to let my head be higher than Your Majesty's...
...but l simply cannot grovel on the floor.
l couldn't possibly work that way, or think.
You are very difficult woman!
Perhaps so, Your Majesty.
But observe care that head shall not be higher than mine.
When l shall sit, you shall sit! When l shall kneel, you shall kneel.
Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera!
Very well, Your Majesty.
ls promise?
ls promise.
Good.
To his Royal Presidency of the United States in America...
...''Abrahom Lingkong''...
...et cetera. You fix up.
lt has occurred to us....
You see, it has occurred to us....
lt has occurred to us that if we shall be sending you several pairs...
...of young male elephants...
...to be turned loose in forests of America--
A-mer-i-ca.
We are of opinion...
...that after a while they shall increase in number.
-And inhabitants of America shall-- -Your Majesty.
Well?
l don't think you mean pairs of male elephants.
How can l make letter if you interrupt?
And inhabitants of America shall be able to catch and tame them...
...and use them as beasts of burden.
Only male elephants, Your Majesty?
You put in the details.
Good night.
Moses.
Lincoln!
Elephants!
Groveling on the floor at 2:00 in the morning.
l am Lun Tha.
You are Mrs. Anna, schoolteacher?
Yes, but you shouldn't be--
l must meet with Tuptim again. Please!
You have been seeing her here?
Twice we have spoken.
Each time it becomes more difficult.
She has said you will help us.
Oh, no, l couldn't!
lt's much too dangerous.
Not for me, but for Tuptim and you.
You'll be killed if they find you in the City of Women. You must leave!
Death is not worse pain than empty life. Please, Mrs. Anna.
l'm sorry, Lun Tha.
There's nothing l can do.
Wait there.
Tuptim.
Oh, Lun Tha.
Seeing you this way is not enough.
There is nothing we can do.
l am watched...
...too closely.
Must we go on forever hiding our love like this?
We kiss in a shadow
We hide from the moon
Our meetings are few
And over too soon
We speak in a whisper
Afraid to be heard
When people are near
We speak not a word
Alone in our secret
Together we sigh
For one smiling day
To be free
To kiss in the sunlight
And say to the sky
Behold and believe
What you see
Behold...
...how my lover...
...loves me
When will we be together, Tuptim?
When?
lt can never be, Lun Tha.
Not ever.
To kiss in the sunlight
And say to the sky
Behold and believe
What you see
Behold...
...how my lover...
...loves me
You must go now.
l will be missed, and they will start searching for me.
When l return, it will be to take you from here.
There is no way, Lun Tha.
There is the river. There are boats.
l will find a way.
Oh, if it could only be.
lt will be.
l swear this.
When all is arranged, l will get word to you.
l shall pray, Lun Tha.
lf you see a chaba flower in your path, broken like this...
...it will be the sign that l have come for you. Watch for it.
l will be ready.
Stop, stop, stop!
-Your Majesty. -What, what, what?
Well?
When Siam's richest province was stolen by France...
...l warned it was only beginning of Western treachery.
lf enemies of ours, with lies such as this...
...can convince British that you are unfit to be ruler of Siam...
...our seas will soon be thick with ships, greedy for conquest.
So it has finally come.
We must act quickly.
But how? Where?
l must think.
Clearly. Scientifically.
l must think.
But how can l think while being driven out of mind!
A charm from the skies
Seems to hallow us there
Which, seek through the world
Is ne'er met with elsewhere
That was splendid. Very effective.
Now....
-Good morning. -You think you teach king lesson!
This is one lesson you do not be paid for teaching!
You will stop instructing wives and children in ''Home Sweet House''...
...in order to remind me of breaking promises l never make, et cetera.
Your Majesty, l do not intend to have my boy brought up in a harem.
You did promise me a house. ''A brick residence adjoining the palace.''
-Those were your very words. -l do not remember such words!
-l remember them. -l will do remembering!
Who is king here?
l remind you so you remember that. l do not remember any promises.
l do not remember anything except that you are my servant.
Oh, no, Your Majesty.
What, what, what?
l said, you are my servant!
No, Your Majesty, that is not true. l am most certainly not your servant!
lf you do not give me the house you promised...
...l shall be forced to return to England.
No! No! Please, Mrs. Anna.
Please. We believe schoolteacher!
l believe in snow!
Do not let her go away.
l let her do nothing that is not my pleasure.
lt is my pleasure that you stay here!
ln palace! ln palace!
No, Your Majesty.
Why do you wish to leave these children...
...all of whom are loving you so extraordinarily?
l do not wish to leave them. l love them too, quite extraordinarily.
l cannot stay where a promise has no meaning.
l will hear no more!
A land where there is a wish...
...for Siam to take her place in the modern world...
...but where everything still remains according to the wishes of the king!
You will say no more! No more!
l will say no more, because there is no more to say!
Come, Louis.
Out, out, out!
Who is it?
Mrs. Anna, it is l, Lady Thiang.
Oh, well, come in, Lady Thiang.
Mrs. Anna, you must go to king at once.
lndeed? And why must l?
l plan to leave on the next sailing.
Please, Mrs. Anna.
Did he send you here to ask me?
lt is l who ask you.
lKing is in terrible distress, not knowing where to turn.
Distress?
Agents in Singapore have found copies of letters to British government...
...which describe king as barbarian...
...and suggest necessity of making Siam a protectorate.
Oh, but that is outrageous!
The king is many things l dislike, but he is not a barbarian.
Then you will go to him now?
You mean, to advise him?
lt must not sound like advice.
lKing cannot take advice.
And he will not bring up subject. You must do it for him.
No, Lady Thiang, l can't. lt's against all my principles.
He needs help, Mrs. Anna.
Oh, but he has you.
l am not equal to his special needs.
Please, Lady Thiang, l simply cannot go to him, especially without...
...his having asked for me.
What more can l say to you?
This is a man who thinks With his heart
His heart is not always wise
This is a man who stumbles and falls
But this is a man who tries
This is a man you'll forgive And forgive
And help and protect...
...as long as you live
He will not always say
What you would have him say
But now and then he'll say...
...something wonderful
The thoughtless things he'll do
Will hurt and worry you
Then all at once he'll do...
...something wonderful
He has a thousand dreams
That won't come true
You know that he believes in them
And that's enough...
...for you
You'll always go along
Defend him when he's wrong
And tell him when he's strong
He is wonderful
He'll always need your love
And so he'll...
...get your love
A man who needs your love...
...can be...
... wonderful
Your Majesty.
You have come to apologize.
-l am sorry, Your Majesty, but-- -Good! You apologize.
-l didn't say-- -l accept.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Well?
Do you not see l am occupied?
My mind on very important matters.
Anything you wish to discuss with me?
Why should l discuss important matter with woman?
Very well, Your Majesty. ln that case l shall say good night.
Good night!
Your Majesty....
-What, what, what? -l wonder....
-When the boat came from Singapore-- -Singapore!
-Was there any news from abroad? -News!
There were news!
-They call me barbarian. -Who?
Parties who would use this as excuse to steal my country.
Now suppose you are Queen Victoria...
...and someone say to you king of Siam is barbarian. Do you believe?
-Well, Your Majesty.... -You will!
You will believe l am because there is no one to speak otherwise.
Oh, but this is a lie!
lt is a false lie!
What have you decided to do about it?
You guess.
Well...
...if someone were sending a lie about me to England...
...l would do my best to send the truth to England.
ls that what you have decided to do, Your Majesty?
Yes, that is what l have decided to do. But how?
Guess how l shall do this.
Well, my guess would be that you would seek...
...some kind of personal contact with the British.
Personal contact! When British ambassador and party arrive in Siam--
The ambassador, here?
On quick tour of Orient. Friendship tour, they say.
l receive letters from his aide, Sir Edward Ramsay, who accompanies him.
Edward, coming here?
''Edward''?
You call him this?
We are old friends. l knew him in London before l was married.
When they're here, l'll take opportunity of expressing my opinion...
...of thieves who would try to steal my country.
l will show them who is barbarian!
Well, what is this face you put on?
My guess is that you will not fight with your distinguished visitors.
-l will not? -No, Your Majesty.
You will give a banquet in their honor.
You will entertain them in a particularly grand manner.
You will make them all witnesses in your favor.
They will return to England and report to the queen...
...that you are most certainly not a barbarian.
Naturally!
Naturally! This is what l shall have intended to do.
That's it, Your Majesty. Stand up to them.
Put your best foot forward.
lt's an expression, Your Majesty.
lt means put on your best clothes...
...show them your most intelligent men and most beautiful women.
Shall it be proper for the British to see my women without shoes?
Shall it be proper for my women to put their best bare feet forward?
No, we shall make them look like ladies of Europe:
Shoes on feet, dresses on bodies.
You will tell me which ladies are most like Europeans...
...and educate them in European customs and manner for presentation.
-Also, sew dresses. -Sew dresses?
All women shall help.
Don't you think it would make a better impression...
...in their own manner and dress?
You are not being scientific. The ambassador knows we are Siamese.
l wish him to know we are also Europeans.
Wake up! Everybody to the temple!
Wake up, wake up, wives, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
We will entertain them with acrobats.
We could give them a theatrical performance.
Tuptim has written a play, her own version of Uncle Tom's Cabin.
We shall give them theatricals. We'll show them who is barbarian.
We could make European dishes for dinner.
You teach. To be served on high table, long white tablecloth.
-And napkins. -Of finest silk.
-Using best gold chopsticks. -Chopsticks?
Don't you think knives and forks would be more suitable?
British not scientific enough for the use of chopsticks.
You are to order finest gold knives and forks.
Also spoons. Why do you not think of spoons?
An inspired idea, Your Majesty.
We mustn't forget cigars. Englishmen are fond of them.
You are to make list of all eminent Europeans residing in Bangkok...
-...for sending of invitations. -Very well.
You will instruct court musicians their learning music of Europe...
...for dancing, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
Excellent, Your Majesty.
How much time do l have for all this?
British gunboat last reported off Singkla. This give you one week.
One week? Your Majesty, one week!
ln this same time...
...whole world was created, Moses say.
First, we ask help from Buddha.
Bow to him. Bow, bow, bow.
Bow!
Oh, Buddha, give us the aid of your strength and your wisdom
Oh, Buddha, give us the aid of your strength...
...and your wisdom
And help us to prove to the visiting English...
...that we are extraordinary and remarkable people
And help us to prove to the visiting English...
...that we are extraordinary and remarkable people
Help also Mrs. Anna to keep awake for scientifiic sewing of dresses...
...even though she be only a woman and a Christian...
...and therefore unworthy of your interest
Help also Mrs. Anna--
-Your Majesty, this is really-- -A promise is a promise.
Head must not be higher than mine.
A promise!
--and therefore unworthy of your interest
And Buddha...
...l promise you...
...that l shall give this unworthy woman...
...a house.
We will build her a house of her own:
A brick residence...
...adjoining royal palace...
...according to agreement...
...et cetera...
...et cetera.
Your Majesty--
--this unworthy woman...
...a house
We will build her a house of her own...
...a brick residence adjoining royal palace...
...according to agreement
Et cetera
The napkins finally arrived. Would you place them on the table please?
-Thank you. -No, thank you.
Are we ready? The guests are arriving.
Please, do not let Englishmen come here.
We are afraid.
They cast terrible spell on us with evil eye.
Oh, nonsense. Nonsense!
Step back. Let me see how you look.
Stand apart.
Very nice. Now, turn round.
Oh, my goodness gracious!
What is trouble now?
Oh, l forgot! They have practically no undergarments.
Undergarments! Of what importance are undergarments at this time?
Of great importance.
Are you wearing undergarments?
All properly dressed English ladies always wear undergarments.
l have opinion that, in this regard, England is very backward nation.
ls this what you shall be wearing?
Why, yes. Do you like it?
Well....
Are you certain this is customary, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera?
Well, what is so extraordinary about bare shoulders?
-Your own ladies-- -Yes.
But is different because of not wearing...
...covering-ups on other parts of body, and therefore--
Therefore what?
ls different.
l'm sorry you do not approve.
l have not said l do not approve.
The ambassador and his party must be arriving.
Mrs. Anna, Mrs. Anna. They are cannibals.
They will eat us!
They will do nothing of the kind.
Remember, when you are presented to the ambassador...
...for heaven's sake, keep your backs to the wall.
So!
Your Majesty, this shall be His Excellency, Sir John Hay...
...most honorable representative of United lKingdom in Great Britain.
Your Majesty.
l am pleased.
Cigar.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
May l introduce my aide, Sir Edward Ramsay.
Your Majesty.
l am pleased. Cigar.
Thank you.
And this is Madame Leonowens...
...teacher of English language, customs, et cetera, in royal household.
We've heard of your splendid work here.
Thank you, Your Excellency.
Edward, it's so good to see you.
How are you, Anna?
Come with me. Meet royal wives.
Royal wives.
He has the head of a goat!
Evil eye!
Evil eye! Evil eye!
-Evil eye! -Ladies!
Ladies, come back! Come back. Oh, dear.
Oh, this is dreadful.
Why have you not educated them in the British custom of spying glass?
Oh, is that what started the panic?
l regret, sir, my ladies have not given good impression.
On the contrary.
We have rarely received so good an impression in so short a time.
You have attractive pupils.
l wish you could see His Majesty's children.
Unfortunately, they're asleep.
How many children do you have?
Oh, l have only 106. l am not married very long.
Well, next month, expecting five more.
Anna, my dear.
You're looking lovelier than ever.
l was hoping to find you wasted away with homesickness.
For England? l have no one there, Edward.
Not anymore.
No one, Anna?
Hear that?
We danced to that once.
Richmond. Remember?
Still dance?
Not very often.
You should.
Do you remember l asked you to marry me?
Of course. l never allowed Tom to forget it.
l never learned to take defeat like a gentleman.
Dear Edward.
l didn't come to Bangkok just because l enjoy sleeping on a gunboat...
...or watching Sir John comb his beard.
Anna, Anna, you're much too young to bury your heart in a grave.
Oh, but it's not buried. lt's very much alive.
-Here? -Yes.
Among people who need me.
People l can help.
You could help me very much, Anna.
l see another 10 years of waiting in those eyes.
Dancing, after dinner!
l'm afraid l couldn't resist talking over old times.
l had impression that Mrs. Anna would help...
...for seating guests at dinner table, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
Now it is too late. They all stand up, waiting.
ln that case, we'd better be going in, Anna.
We better be going in...
...Anna.
l forget.
lf you'll excuse me, Your Majesty.
Now, herewith, shall be list of subjects you try to bring up for talk.
On such subjects l am very brilliant and will make great impression.
You begin with Moses.
Bow.
Eat, eat, eat!
His Majesty made a rather interesting point about Moses...
...when he was reading the Bible.
Oh, yes. Now...
...Moses is very fine illustration of little-known fact...
...that men of faith and men of science...
...by contradicting each other...
...always manage to arrive at same conclusion.
l shall explain....
l should like to propose a toast.
His Gracious Majesty, the king of Siam:
May the rest of the world regard him with the same high esteem...
...as does the government of Her Majesty, Queen Victoria.
Hear! Hear!
Your Majesty.
More toast.
To Her Gracious Majesty, Victoria...
...Queen of United lKingdom and lreland...
...powerful sovereign of British colonies around globe of human world.
l wish to say, warm affection.
To the queen.
Enough toast for queen. Sit.
Now, theatricals for entertainment.
Tonight...
...play written by member of royal palace as surprise for king.
Siamese version of famous American book.